Clonfert

Clonfert ( Irish: Cluain Fearta, dt ' small fort ') is a small village in the east of County Galway, Ireland. It lies between Ballinasloe and Portumna.

The place is known especially for its architecturally important cathedral. Clonfert is the seat of the diocese of Clonfert. This is with 22 parishes today the smallest in Ireland.

Cathedral of Clonfert

The oldest parts of today's cathedral dating from the 12th century and include the Irish late Romanesque. This includes the East Window. The decorated with angels, a mermaid and rosettes chancel arch and the ornate arches of the side aisles date from the 15th century.

The portal of five tiered and ornamented pillars and the six arches under the triangular tympanum Tetes coupées makes the small cathedral of a highlight of the Romanesque style in Ireland.

In the cemetery at the cathedral is a high cross, which is not old, but was kept in the style of old crosses.

History

Was founded the predecessor of this church in the east of County Galway, close to the Shannon near Clonmacnoise by St. Brendan ( the Navigator ), in the year 577 AD, in the country of the clan of the Hy Many or O'Kelly.

At its peak, the school of Clonfert 3000 monks to have granted an education. 1111 AD was Clonfert at the Synod of Rathbreasil selected in the center of a diocese. This was confirmed in 1152 at the Synod of Kells - Mellifont, came as the Archdiocese of Tuam Clonfert. 1175 was abbot Concors one of those who were sent by King Roderick O'Connor to Windsor to complete the Treaty of Windsor. By Roderick gave him the scepter from the UK and Ireland. In the 12th century, the Augustinian Abbey of St. Mary de Porto Puro was by Turlough O'Connor and St. Malachy, founded at Clonfert.

1152 (according to other sources 1161 ) Peter Ó Mordha the Abbot of Boyle Abbey was here new Dept. He left in 1167 to build the great cathedral. He drowned in 1172 in Shannon on the way to the Synod of Cashel. 1266 AD, so report the Annals of Lough Ce was a certain John sent from Rome as bishop to reside (John ) in Clonfert. Because of the sanctions of the English. Crown he could without the help of Walter de Burgo, Earl of Ulster, but are not introduced. So he was ordained in the English Bishop of Clonfert Athenry. Later he was appointed papal nuncio. A letter from John XXI. ( 1276) authorizes him to collect the tax for the Crusades. John was one of the few Italian prelates that has ever been appointed in Ireland. He was a great benefactor to his cathedral and is said to have donated the statues and carvings that adorn the west end of the cathedral. After he led Clonfert 30 years, he was appointed in 1296 by the Pope Archbishop of Benevento in Italy.

Anecdote

That the ancient Celtic tree worship in Ireland is still currently shows a decorated with colorful ribbons and accessories wish tree, which stands near to the cathedral and a cloutie Well in the forest.